Chapter 2 - Broken Promises

Aria's POV.

I left Michael's apartment battling with lot of emotions , I was angry, sad , surprised. I didn't expect him to do such . I took shaky steps down the streets looking for a taxi to board home, but I didn't find any as an unexpected rain started pouring.

I didn't mind the fact that the rain was falling heavily and had drenched me from my hair to my toes , I just kept walking aimlessly with no destination, my breaths coming out in shaky bursts.

That night I couldn't sleep, anytime I tried to , the image of Micheal and Milan pops up . They suddenly became my worst night mare.

My mind replayed everything _from how I decorated the hotel room with love , to Michael ghosting me ; his nonchalant reply “something came up”; and the image of him and Milan flashed my mind again.

I felt very miserable, my heart numb and void , the only thing I felt was pain, which I thought the rain was going to wash away but it didn't . So I lay there on my bed wrapping the duvets around my body hugging the pillow and staring at the ceiling.

Then my mind drifted back to months ago ; when I should have noticed what was going on between Michael and Milan.

It was the day of “The Aureline Innovation Award". Micheal and Milan work in the same company.

The company lobby had never looked so beautiful and fascinating _ crystal chandeliers sparkled above , soft music playing in the background the scent of roses filled the room.

Everyone came dresses in their best outfits, all ready to celebrate the biggest innovation of the year.

I was so happy and excited that morning . I wore a sleek emerald_ green dress that hugged my waist and showcased my curves perfectly. My hair was styled in soft curls, I wore a light make up and applied a perfume Micheal’s favorite.

Golden lights glowed over the grand stage, Paparazzi, reporters, investors, company executives, and other influencial people graced the occasion.

For weeks, we stayed in the office till midnight _ brain storming, coding,and testing. The project was a success because we put in all efforts.

When Milan requested to join last minute, I agreed after all she was my best friend. And we agreed to share the prize money together. I and Michael planned to use ours to start up our own tech company “AM innovations”_ “A” for Aria and “M” for Michael .

My heart raced as we took our seats at the front. Then Milan arrived glittering in a gold gown.

“ Oh my goodness, I'm late … I almost missed it !“

she laughed, sitting in between Michael and I.

“ I'm so glad you guys allowed me to join last minute”.

I smiled politely. “ You did help with the design slide”, I said calmly, even if I knew that was the only thing she did in the project. Still I didn't mind after all she was my best friend.

Ironically Micheal didn't want her to join so I wouldn't suspect but I insisted.

Then the host finally annonced

“ The winner of the 2025 innovation project are …. “

My hands trembled and my heart raced “ Michael Hale and Milan Monroe, and …"

The host stopped .

The people clapped .

My ears waited to hear my name.

“ Team victorious”.

No “Aria!”

I frozen for a moment, I was dumbfounded, smiling weakly as Michael pulled me up.

Cameras flashed, lights that could make one blind and thunderous applause.

But I was deeply confused inside me.

“Why wasn't my name called ?” Milan was up the stage receiving all of the credit as if she did all the work, she stole my spot I was the one that was supposed to be the one receiving all the credit.

I lean towards Michael,he whispered. “ Hey” it's just an oversight on the part of the host. I swear your name is there . Please don't make a scene.

So I kept quiet, an faked a smile for photos; pretending I was okay.

The host presented the trophy and it only have two names engraved on it Michael Hale and Milan Monroe.

At that particular moment my heart sank And I felt something break inside of me.

After the ceremony, I went out to the balcony , to get some air . The city lights shimmered below; and I love the way the air brushed my skin it seemed to soothe me in my present storm.

“ Are you alright?”

The voice came from behind me, it was a soothing, unfamiliar deep voice

“ Yes “I replied my voice hoarse

“I know you're not but I won't force it “ he said then he smiled faintly , his voice low and reassuring.

“ Whatever it is , don't let it define you. sometimes, life delays our recognition, but never denies it.

I thanked him, not knowing his name _nor seeing his face.

After he left, Micheal found me he looked pale and nervous

”It was a mistake, Aria” he said quickly.

“ I would try to fix it , the system must have messed up during submission; I'll talk to the committee tomorrow I promise.” And I being vulnerable and drowned in love I believed him.

I didn't over think it at all . I trusted Micheal; so I assured my self that it was a mistake. I had thought everything would be settled the next morning .

But that didn't happen at all, Days turned into weeks and nothing changed. Emails were sent , the office group chat filled with congratulatory messages , and pictures of ”Milan Monroe and Michael Hale winners of the year innovative project were every where.

Anytime I tried to ask Michael about how my name got missing, he snaps at me; blackmails emotionally asking if I trust him . He insisted that it wasn't his fault that it was the system and that the committee couldn't do anything about it again since the event had already been held.

But then he promised me that I would get out of the prize money when it was granted.

So because of the love I had for him; I forgave him and Milan.

“ I swear I have nothing to do with this I just couldn't believe that the system could omitted your name after all your efforts, but don't worry we would share the money together “ she said ,and I believed her I believed them both.

She sounded so convincing and genuine. So I just had to believe her. I didn't heed to the saying:

“ Once trust is broken it can never be gained again.”

They didn't just betray me today , they did a long time ago but I forgave them and allowed them to strike again .

I sat up in bed , reaching for the almost empty box of tissues, using them to wipe the tears that won't stop flowing; Then I made a decision to end it all because I can't be seeing the faces of those who caused me pain every day I go to work.

And the thought of me being used and dumped will forever linger in my head so I can't continue to work at that company. So I decided to resign as soon as the day breaks.

_ _ _

I arrived at the office to tender my resignation letter. The office went on the regular daily activities, silenced phones , faint chatters, sounds of printers.

When I reached the HR desk, I handed her my envelope then she stamped it , and said quietly;

“You will need to head over to the accounting department for your final payment and clearance.”

“Thank you” I said while I nodded.

The accounting department was on the second floor . I had always loved to go there every month on my pay day, but now my footsteps feels heavy as I made way to the office

The accountant, Mrs Morgan, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, greeted me politely.

“ Ah , Miss Quinn . “You're resigning, One moment, let me print your clearance slip”.

She turned to the computer, clicked on the keyboard a few times, and soon the printer started humming.

As she flipped through the stack of papers, one sheet caught my attention. And out of curiosity I pulled it out . It's wasn't mine, It was Michael and Milan's.

Their name was printed boldly on the top.

Payment Reference: Aureline Tech Excellence Grant _ $100,000.00

(Paid in full).

My brain froze, for a moment . I rubbed my eyes and blinked repeatedly, to check if what I said was correct.

This was our project.

The one Michael had promised to “ sort out" , insisting there was an omission in the submission.

The project that cost me sleep less nights,skipped meals.

He lied.

She lied.

They both lied.

The accountant voice brought me back to life .

“ Miss Quinn, Are you alright?”

“Oh y…yh Yes I’m okay , I just feel a bit dizzy. I’m fine thank you”.

She nodded and handed me my file. “ Please sign here for you payment acknowledgement.”

I signed the document with shaky hands , not just from anger ,but from the deep ache of realization .

The money had been payed all these while and Michael and Milan kept mute. Every thing seems to make sense now It was never a mistake, it was all a planned work.

As I stepped out of the building, I glanced and took one final look at the company I had given my all .

I stared at the transparent doors and I couldn’t recognize the woman in the glass -tired eyes, trembling lips and a shadow of who I used to be .

Then I slowly reached for my employee badge, my name tag gleaming faintly under the morning sun Aria Quinn- Project developer I tightened my fingers around it then I pulled it off and dropped it into the trash bin by the entrance .

Then at that moment something finally broke and harden in me.

Love was a luxury currency i could no longer afford -Trust was a currency i’d never spend again.